Evanston man held for crashing van into TV studio

A 25-year-old Evanston man said he "wanted to be on the news" just before crashing his mini-van into a downtown Chicago TV studio during a live newscast, a prosecutor told a Cook County judge Tuesday.

Gerald Richardson was ordered held on $125,000 bail by Cook County Circuit Judge Israel Desierto.

Richardson is accused of crashing his 1990 Mazda mini-van into WLS-Ch. 7's studio at 190 N. State St. on Sunday just as the 10 p.m. newscast started. No one was injured, and the broadcast continued despite a startled news anchor.

Richardson is charged with criminal damage to property of more than $100,000, a felony carrying a potential prison sentence of three to seven years, said Cook County Asst. State's Atty. Teresa Molina.

Richardson also is charged with resisting arrest, reckless driving and operating a motor vehicle without insurance, all misdemeanors.

Molina declined to say whom Richardson spoke to about his desire for airtime before the crash.

Richardson has a history of mental health problems and was hit hard by the deaths of his mother 3 1/2 years ago and two uncles within the last year, said his attorney, Angela Lockett.

Several of Richardson's relatives turned out for Tuesday's hearing.

"The family would just like to say they're sorry about what happened. They want to wish everyone merry Christmas, and they are glad that no one got hurt," Lockett said.

Richardson's next hearing was set for Monday. Desierto ordered that Richardson get proper medical care in the County Jail should he fail to make bond.